Minnesota State Wire

Pete Stauber, a representative from Minnesota, has emphasized the need to preserve U.S. farmland by ending taxpayer subsidies for solar projects that utilize Chinese-made panels. He said this is a step toward safeguarding agriculture and national security. Stauber made this statement on X.

"Protecting America's agricultural sector is vital for our strategic national security and a strong economy," said Peter Allen Stauber, U.S. Representative of Minnesota's 8th Congressional District (R). "No longer will we incentivize farmers to sacrifice prime farmland for unreliable solar farms with Chinese-made solar panels. Thank you to Secretary Brooke Rollins and the Trump Administration for safeguarding America's farming future!"

In 2025, the Trump administration moved to restrict renewable energy projects on U.S. farmland and federal lands. The measures included blocking loan guarantees from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for solar and wind development, prohibiting the use of foreign-made solar equipment, and requiring personal approval from Interior Secretary Doug Burgum for renewable projects. According to Politico, critics argue these steps will slow clean energy growth, while the administration frames them as protecting farmland and national security.

As reported by the USDA Economic Research Service, in 2020 less than 0.05% of nearly 900 million acres of U.S. farmland was used for solar or wind projects, amounting to about 424,000 acres. Most of this land continued agricultural use after development, with solar facilities fully retiring 15% of land from farming and wind projects less than 1%, indicating renewable energy’s limited impact on farmland.

In early 2025, China's solar exports shifted sharply toward cells and wafers, which comprised more than 40% of its global solar shipments. This trend reflects U.S. dependence on upstream Chinese components despite tariffs limiting direct imports of finished panels, according to Ember and the International Energy Agency.

Stauber has represented Minnesota's 8th Congressional District since 2019 after serving as a St. Louis County commissioner and Hermantown city councilor. As noted by House.gov, he chairs the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources and also serves on Transportation and Infrastructure and Small Business Committees, focusing on mining, energy independence, and economic growth.